Hello all, There's an 86 TA that I'm interested in buying. The seller is claiming its "smog exempt".. How could this be? I'm in SF, CA.. and I find this very hard to believe. Thoughts? Thanks

I hear horror stories about Cali and inspections - didn't think anything was exempt! Don't they check emissions on bicycles out there? I guess if it's a track only car it's exempt. But I'm on the other coast, don't have a real idea of Cali inspections, just hear the horror stories and I am thankful I'm not there!

http://www.dmv.org/ca-california/smog-check.php

Brief notes, but read the full description in the link above. If I understand dates correctly ;P , 186 comes after 1975, so yeah...It has to be smog checked. Unless it has been converted to a hybrid/electric.something below....And if that is even allowed in ****-fornia and can get the exemption

• Vehicles made in 1975 or prior

• Diesel-powered vehicles manufactured prior to 1998 (or a GVWR of more than 14,000 pounds)

• Electric vehicles

• Natural gas powered vehicles weighing more than 14,000 pounds

• Hybrids

• Motorcycles

• Trailers

only way it is exempt is if somehow they got the VIN # read as a pre 75 vehicle. or he has it registered in a county which doesnt do smog testing. Like in Sonora. Even in lake county, where Clear lake is etc. They make you do a test when you first register a vehicle in the county but no yearly testing. I am sure these will change soon. But in all likelyhood you have to get it smogged.

Thanks guys. Not sure what this guy is talking about, but I"m hoping to check it out on Thursday. He claims to have owned it for 8 years now and I guess during that time it's never been smogged. check it out these other 86 TA.. http://ontario.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehi...AdIdZ250179913. Its in Canada, but it also says no emission test required? On another note, how rare is a 5 manual car 86 TA? Better than a AT?

Another common misconception is the "one of one" '82 IROCs and such.

Some people's kids

Even in these counties, a smog is almost always required once it changes hands again in CA. This only bypasses the bi-annual requirements. Hope I don't ever sell my GTA! haha.

That being said. ..the guy is in Canada. ..whole different set of rules I'm sure. ..like Texas, haha. Once you bring it here (assuming you're in CA) it will need to be smogged unless it's non-op registered.

I think Canada has a 20 year rule, so no smog would be correct.

You may wanna contact DMV and see if you could even register/title a car from Canada.

you can, but you will have to pay the import tax (ouch) and then have it inspected to meet u.s. specs, and then registered, not sure how much that is since its never been a u.s. car. and then comes the smog test to get your tags
not worth it imo unless it was a collectors car or something.

Doesn't soundvworth it to me either. Pass!

not sure im in WA few states above ya, and once it turned 2011, all 1986 cars were old enough to not go do emissions. so, i went first thing in the am jan 1st, and got me my tabs and plates.

not california laws unfortunately.